Sub callers and preparedness

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2001 : July : 28

Sub callers and preparedness
By Nancy

Our sub. caller, which is being replaced by a computerized sub calling system, tried to call her "regular" subs. by 10:00 the previous evening (often times, I could have two weeks of work lined up if regular teachers knew
their schedules ahead of time). However, you will inevitably get the 5:30 a.m.-6:00 a.m. phone call on the day of the assignment. I've even had one twenty minutes before the bell was supposed to ring at school (needless to say, I was late, but the school was able to wing it until I arrived).
As far as preparations. Pray that you will have sub. plans that aren't written in heiroglyphics.

I always carry around several folders of "busy work" of worksheets that are grade specific. Word searches, crosswords, etc. are great fillers if you need 15 minutes to search for something appropriate in a textbook to actually teach. If you are subbing in the elementary grades, it is always safe to review. Ask a reliable student what they have been working on in math, languge, etc. and do a review session (multiplication games, sentence writing using prepositional phrases, parts of speech review, etc.). Also, games in which you use vocabulary/spelling words (such as "typewriter" or "sparkle") that require that everyone listen and pay attention so they don't get the words wrong. In most districts, students are required to always have a book available to read at their desk. Don't be afraid to tell students to read silently at their desks while you prepare a lesson.

Most teacher's are required to have personal plans completed weeks in advance, so they should be in the room with the text materials. However, don't be afraid to wing it if you have to. Teachers do understand that we are, oftentimes, thrown into a situation with very little advanced notice and that sometimes, things that are planned just don't work out...